Oracle State Park Center for Environmental Education

International Dark Sky Park (Silver Tier) Nomination Package

Prepared by the Oracle Dark Skies Committee (ODSC)

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 1 of 128 Table of Contents

1. LETTER OF NOMINATION ...... 5 2. LETTERS OF SUPPORT ...... 6 3. ORACLE STATE PARK HISTORY AND INFORMATION ...... 27 3.1 HISTORY OF ORACLE STATE PARK - CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION...... 27 3.2 PARK INFORMATION...... 30 3.3. ORACLE STATE PARK ENVIRONMENTAL/CULTURAL EDUCATION EVENTS ...... 33 4. ORACLE STATE PARK DARK SKY EVENT LOCATIONS...... 36 4.1 ORACLE STATE PARK MAPS...... 36 4.2 DAY SKY PANORAMA PHOTOGRAPHS...... 39 5. ORACLE STATE PARK NIGHT SKY QUALITY...... 41 5.1 CONTOUR MAPS...... 41 5.2 SATELLITE IMAGES...... 43 5.3 ARIZONA DARK SKY MAP ...... 46 5.4 SKY QUALITY MEASUREMENTS ...... 47 5.5 NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHS...... 48 6. ORACLE STATE PARK LIGHTING INVENTORY...... 55 7. ORACLE STATE PARK STAR PARTIES AND OTHER RELATED EVENTS ...... 63 7.1 SELECTED PAST EVENTS...... 63 7.2 FUTURE EVENTS...... 70 8. ORACLE STATE PARK OUTDOOR LIGHTING POLICY ...... 71 8.1 ORACLE STATE PARK LIGHTING MASTER PLAN 2000...... 71 8.2 ORACLE STATE PARK POLICY ...... 72 9. PINAL COUNTY CODE 2.195 OUTDOOR LIGHTING ...... 73 10. LIGHT POLLUTION CONTROL/RESTORATION COMMUNITY PROJECTS...... 91 10.1 PUBLIC OUTREACH AND EDUCATION...... 91 10.2 FORD DEALERSHIP ...... 97 10.3 CIRCLE K CONVENIENCE STORE ...... 100 10.4 SOUTHERN ARIZONA EQUESTRIAN CENTER...... 101 10.5 FORMER LIBERTY PARK ...... 103 10.6 JONES OUTDOOR ADVERTISING BILLBOARD ...... 106 10.7 TRIANGLE L RANCH ...... 108 10.8 TRIANGLE Y RANCH ...... 108 10.9 LOCAL RESIDENTS ...... 109 11. IDA INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY PARK PROGRAM...... 113 11.1 PROGRAM CRITERIA COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST...... 113 11.2 PROGRAM CRITERIA TIER COMPLIANCE ...... 114 12. MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS...... 115 12.1 HISTORY OF ORACLE’S STEWARD FAMILY SUPPORT TO ASTRONOMY...... 115 12.2 MEDIA COVERAGE ...... 119 13. ORACLE DARK SKIES COMMITTEE ...... 127 14. DOCUMENT REVISIONS ...... 128

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 2 of 128 List of Figures

Figure 3.1 Kannally Ranch Home in 1985...... 27 Figure 3.2 Planning Committee in 1986 ...... 28 Figure 3.3 Map by the Arizona Trail Association (used with permission)...... 32

Figure 4.1 Main Park Map ...... 36 Figure 4.2 Arizona Trail Walk-In...... 37 Figure 4.3 Satellite Day Image Main Park Area...... 38 Figure 4.4 Satellite Day Image Arizona Trail parking lot...... 38

Figure 4.5 Kannally Ranch House parking lot panorama: West (left), North (center), East (right) ...... 39

Figure 4.6 Kannally Ranch House parking lot panorama: East (left), South (center), West (right)...... 39 Figure 4.7 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot panorama: West (left), North (center), East (right) ...... 39 Figure 4.8 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot panorama: East (left), South (center), West (right)...... 40 Figure 4.9 Group Use Area panorama: West (left), North (center), East (right)...... 40

Figure 4.10 Group Use Area panorama: East (left), South (center), West (right) ...... 40 Figure 5.1 Area Contour Map...... 41 Figure 5.2 Oracle Area Contour Map ...... 42 Figure 5.3 Satellite Night Image of Arizona...... 43

Figure 5.4 Satellite Night Image Tucson to Oracle...... 44 Figure 5.5 Satellite Day Image Oracle ...... 45 Figure 5.6 Night Sky Brightness Arizona...... 46

Figure 5.7 Sky Quality Chart vs IDSP Tiers ...... 47 Figure 5.8 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot: All Sky (North at top, West at right)..49 Figure 5.9 Group Use Area: All Sky (North at top, West at right) ...... 49

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 3 of 128 Figure 5.10 Kannally Ranch House parking lot: All Sky (North at top, West at right) ...... 50 Figure 5.11 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot night panorama: View to Northwest 50 Figure 5.12 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot night panorama: Southern Sky...... 51 Figure 5.13 Group Use Area night panorama: View to Northwest...... 51

Figure 5.14 Group Use Area night panorama: Southern Sky ...... 51 Figure 5.15 Kannally Ranch House parking lot night panorama: View to Northwest ...... 52 Figure 5.16 Kannally Ranch House parking lot night panorama: View to South ...... 52 Figure 5.17 Rising Milky Way at Oracle State Park...... 53

Figure 5.18 Evening Zodiacal Light at Oracle State Park...... 53 Figure 5.19 Star Trails over Kannally Ranch House ...... 54 Figure 5.20 Milky Way from Kannally Ranch House parking lot ...... 54 Figure 6.1 Kannally Ranch House parking lot lighting “before”...... 59

Figure 6.2 Kannally Ranch House parking lot lighting “after”...... 59 Figure 6.3 Parking lot light fixture “before” ...... 60 Figure 6.4 Parking lot light fixture “after”...... 60

Figure 6.5 Kannally Ranch House with dark sky lighting...... 61 Figure 6.6 Group Use Area shelter illumination...... 62 Figure 6.7 Group Use Area shelter lights...... 62 Figure 10.1 Oracle Dark Skies Committee web site ...... 95 List of Tables

Table 5.1 Oracle State Park Sky Quality Measurements ...... 48

Table 6.1 Oracle State Park Lighting Inventory...... 55 Table 11.1 IDSP Program Criteria compliance...... 113 Table 11.2 IDSP Program Tier Designation...... 114

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 4 of 128 1. Letter of Nomination

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 5 of 128 2. Letters of Support

The following letters document both local and wide-ranging support for Oracle State Park being designated as an “International Dark Sky Park”:

Friends of Oracle State Park Copper Corridor Economic Development Coalition Cascabel Conservation Association Pinal County Board of Supervisors

The Nature Conservancy MMT Observatory Arizona Trail Association

Oracle Historical Society Hair Country (local business) Cherry Valley Ranch (local business) Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance

Oracle School District #2 Superintendent Keith Krueger (IDA member) Catalina/Oracle State Park Manager

Oracle State Park Ranger Mary Huebner (local resident) Oracle State Park Ranger Mike Weasner (IDA member)

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June 16, 2014

IDA Board of Directors 3223 North First Avenue Tucson, AZ 85719

Dear IDA Board of Directors:

This letter is to express our support for designating Oracle State Park as an "International Dark Sky Park." Arizona has a long history of astronomical research and hosts several world- class astronomical observatories. The preservation of dark skies is of paramount importance for optical astronomical research.

The Oracle Dark Skies Committee's initiative for designation as an International Dark Sky Park is beneficial in many ways; by encouraging sensible lighting ordinances in Pinal County, by raising local awareness of the importance of preserving our dark skies, and by drawing together diverse groups with the common interest of protecting and preserving the unique Southern Arizona environment.

We commend this initiative and hope that it will lead to a broader conservation of the region for all to enjoy.

Sincerely,

George G. Williams, Ph.D. Director MMT Observatory

MMT Observatory • The University of Arizona • Tucson, Arizona 85721 • PHONE: 520.621.1558 • FAX: 520.621.4144

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IDA Board of Directors 3223 North First Avenue Tucson, AZ 85719

13 May 2014

Dear IDA Board of Directors,

I and my wife purchased our retirement land in Oracle, Arizona, in 2004. We chose this area for its natural environment, cultural activities, and the very dark skies. From 2005 to 2009, about once a month I would drive from southern California to come to our land in Oracle with a tent and a telescope to take advantage of the dark skies here. After retirement from the aerospace industry in southern California in 2007, we built our house and observatory in 2008-9, and moved to Oracle in June 2009. I became an amateur astronomer at the age of six and I received a B.S. in Astrophysics, Indiana University, in 1970. Now that I am retired with my own observatory I get to frequently enjoy the dark skies in Oracle.

Based on my sky quality observations from my observatory in Oracle beginning in 2005, in February 2014, I began contemplating the idea of Oracle State Park being designated as an IDA “International Dark Sky Park” (IDSP). Initial discussions in March 2014 with the “Friends of Oracle State Park”, Dr. John Barentine at IDA, and Rangers Steve Haas and Jennifer Rinio at Oracle State Park demonstrated that there was broad support for the idea. In April 2014, the “Oracle Dark Skies Committee” was formed to pursue the IDSP designation.

The Oracle Dark Skies Committee, with the outstanding assistance and support of Oracle State Park, Arizona State Parks management, the Friends of Oracle State Park, and local business owners, residents, and elected officials, made great progress on the IDSP Nomination Package in a very short period of time. It has already had positive impacts on local light pollution through public outreach and education.

I am very excited and pleased, both as an IDA member and the Chair of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee, to lend my support to Oracle State Park as the first “International Dark Sky Park” in the Arizona State Parks system.

Sincerely yours, !

Mike Weasner IDA Member Chair, Oracle Dark Skies Committee

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 26 of 128 3. Oracle State Park History and Information 3.1 History of Oracle State Park - Center for Environmental Education The Kannally Ranch was donated to The Defenders of Wildlife (DOW), a non-profit organization, in 1976. The will of Lucille Kannally gave the 4000-acre ranch to DOW with the stipulation that the property be perpetually used as a wildlife reserve. The DOW held this property (called the Oracle Wildlife Refuge) for ten years. For most of the time, the Oracle Education Project, under the leadership of Bob Hernbrode, utilized the Kannally Ranch House as its base of operation for a variety of environmental education programs.

Figure 3.1 Kannally Ranch Home in 1985 In 1985, through the encouragement and efforts of Bill Roe, of the Arizona Outdoor Recreation Coordinating Commission, the DOW decided to offer the property to the State for a State Park. The Arizona Parklands Foundation (APF), a non-profit organization created by Governor Babbitt, worked with DOW and State Parks to facilitate the transfer of the property to APF for eventual transfer to the State Parks Board. In October of 1985, APF sponsored a dedication event to honor the future State Park. Governor Babbitt and the Parks Board members were in attendance. Graphic design panels, showing the name of the Park as Herberger State Park, and presenting concepts for intensive development of the property that would be a primary destination for public recreation, were exhibited at the dedication. Intended to generate enthusiasm and support for the new Park, the proposed name and developments actually generated strong opposition from the local residents.

The Parks Board held a meeting in December 1985 in Oracle to provide the people of the community an opportunity to air their concerns and to provide input and

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 27 of 128 ideas for the proposed new State Park. A large number attended this meeting from the area and several volunteered to serve on a planning committee. The Parks Board accepted the offer of assistance and appointed a Planning Committee to serve as a liaison between the community and Board and to develop an acceptable park master plan.

The Arizona Parklands Foundation held the deed to the property from November 1985 until it transferred the property to the State Parks Board in March 19, 1986. The deed restrictions that came with the property prohibit hunting, trapping, off- road vehicle use, and limited development of the property to no more than 10 percent of the acreage. Mike Mayer was selected as the first Park Manager.

The Planning Committee worked throughout 1986 and invested a great deal of time and effort in their charge. The large group, divided into five subcommittees, sought technical input and held numerous open meetings and site visits. Many of the development ideas presented at the dedication were eliminated from further consideration during this process.

Figure 3.2 Planning Committee in 1986 Concurrent with the activities of the Planning Committee, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) contracted on January 16, 1986, for design improvements of the Mt. Lemmon Road and the Kannally Ranch House Road. In January 1987, the Ad Hoc Planning Committee presented its recommendations to the Arizona State Parks Board. The Board agreed with the recommendations in principle, including the recommendation that the Park have a dual purpose of serving as both a wildlife refuge and as a learning center for environmental education. In March, after reviewing the Committee’s recommendations in full, the Board formally approved the report.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 28 of 128 In November 1987, a complete site resource inventory was initiated. This research integrated studies of the Park vegetation, wildlife species, wildlife resources, geology, soils, watersheds, hydrology, topography and several other aspects of the site and surrounding vicinity (but it did not include the dark sky). In early 1988, the development of a Park master plan was initiated. State Parks informed the planning consultant that certain basic issues related to the development of the Park had already been established. First and foremost was that Oracle State Park would be developed and managed as both an environmental education center and wildlife preserve. Also, the Ad Hoc Planning Committee had already determined the required facilities.

A Technical Advisory Committee was organized to assist the consultant and State Parks in the master planning process. This group included members of the previous Ad Hoc Planning Committee, community representatives, resource professionals and environmental educators. During the planning process, there were numerous additional opportunities for public input through the Committee members and through open public meetings. Throughout the master planning process, public input significantly affected plans for the Park. A walk-in entrance was added to the plan so that visitors could leave vehicles on the periphery of the site and hike in. It was decided that signage would direct visitors to the main entrance but that the public would be encouraged to use the pedestrian access as much as possible. At the request of local citizens, the name of the Park was changed to Oracle State Park - Center for Environmental Education. The State Parks Board approved the Oracle State Park Master Plan in February 1990. The Plan outlined general description and design criteria for a new visitor center and limited picnic sites, a residential environmental education facility with bunkhouses and dining hall, a group use area, a maintenance area and staff residence area. When all facilities, roads and areas impacted by construction were combined, less than one percent of the total Park acreage was to be altered by development. The Master Plan also called for construction of wildlife watering sites to enhance the wildlife habitat. As shown on the Plan, the entrance road and most of the new facilities are sited near the edge of the oak zone, just before the elevation drops in the mesquite scrub. The majority of the oak grassland habitat in the Park would remain undisturbed.

In February of 1993, ADOT entered into a contract with another engineering consultant to complete the design for the roads and parking areas as described in the Park Master Plan. In May 1993, a public meeting was held to provide the public with the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed road improvements.

In February 1994, a final Draft Environmental Assessment was made available to Oracle area residents. On May 23, 1994, The Environmental Assessment was accepted by ADOT. The road design and the project specifications were finalized. Construction was completed in 1996.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 29 of 128 The Park was continually available for environmental education programs on a reservation basis. Oracle State Park was officially dedicated and opened to the public October 1, 2001.

This history is from the book Arizona State Parks: The Beginning edited by Charles R. Eatherly, and used with permission. Copyright Arizona State Parks.

3.2 Park Information The park is open Saturdays and Sundays. Hours are 8 am - 5 pm. Environmental Education Field Trip Programs for school groups are scheduled weekdays by reservation. Special nighttime events are held throughout the year. Night access for observing programs available by reservation. Restrooms The park has modern, handicap accessible restrooms at the Group Use Area. There are four composting toilets, each with sink and running water. At the Kannally Ranch House, old plumbing is a limitation so the public is asked to use the two handicap accessible port-o-toilets, with foot-pump hand-washing station. There is one handicap accessible port-o-toilet available at the Oak-Woodland parking area, with no sink facility.

All Park restrooms will be upgraded during the summer of 2014 with new facilities, plumbing, and accessibility.

Gift Shop The Gift Shop is housed in the office/visitor contact station located in the upper solarium of the historic Kannally Ranch House. Items for sale include a variety of books, magnets, notecards, postcards, T-shirts, stuffed animals and educational games.

Exhibits The historic Kannally Ranch House is a museum with historic photos, original artwork and unique design features including Mediterranean and Moorish architecture. Constructed between 1929-33, the house is four levels built up the hillside and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A 45-minute guided tour of the ranch house is offered to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays at 10 am and again at 2 pm. Guided tours during midweek may be scheduled by reservation. Other exhibits include an extensive plant herbarium, with laminated specimens available for viewing in the park office/gift-shop.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 30 of 128 Group: Day Use Areas Two ramada shades with picnic tables (10 tables), four restrooms and one charcoal grill. The ranch house and patios may also be reserved for group gatherings. Picnic Areas/Shelters Kannally Ranch House patios (3) with limited seating and four patio tables for picnic use. Oak Woodland Area with eight picnic tables under shade trees, one handicap accessible port-o-toilet; no running water. Five picnic tables under shade trees along Main Road across from Oak-Woodland Area. Hiking Trails Oracle State Park: Center for Environmental Education offers more than 15 miles of hiking trails. The Arizona Trail also offers the opportunity to extend treks into the Catalina Mountains to the south and rolling desert hills to the north. Granite Overlook Trail: This trail is accessed from the Oak Woodland parking area, which is the first parking lot when entering the park. It is a 1.6 mile loop. This trail goes through oaks and boulder piles. At the top are nice stands of banana yucca. From the top there are great views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Bellota Trail: This trail is accessed from the Group Use Area parking area. It is used on the Park’s environmental education school programs during the week. It is a 0.8 mile loop. The trail goes through parts of the sandy Kannally Wash with large oaks and open grassy areas with great views. Windy Ridge Trail: This trail is across from the Group Use Area and also can be easily accessed from the Kannally Ranch House parking area. This is another environmental education/school program trail. It is a 0.9 mile loop. The hike ventures along a sandy wash with great boulder piles up to the top of a ridge formed by a geologic formation called a dike.

Nature Trail: This trail is accessed at the end of the park road at the Kannally Ranch House parking area. It is a 1.2 mile loop. This is the only short loop trail that dogs are allowed on. The best springtime flowers start along this trail. There are great views of the areas’ history including; The Kannally Ranch House on the park, and parts of the San Manuel mining area which covered large sections of the valley in the distance. Manzanita/Arizona/Wildlife Corridor: This combination of trails allows for about a 6 mile loop hike. It is accessed from the Kannally Ranch House parking area. The hike goes through a rolling terrain of oaks and open grasslands. Soaptree Yucca and

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 31 of 128 desert scrub augment springtime desert flowers on the Arizona Trail section of this loop (the Arizona Trail starts near Mexico and extends to Utah, as seen below).

Figure 3.3 Map by the Arizona Trail Association (used with permission) Equestrian Trails Equestrians can access the Arizona Trail and other designated multi-use paths from the American Avenue parking lot in Oracle. Multi-use trails include the Arizona Trail,

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 32 of 128 Cherry Valley Wash, Windmill Trail Loop, Gasline Road, Kannally Wash, and Cottonwood Wash. The Firebreak Road Trail connects the Kannally Wash and Cottonwood Wash near the ranch house to divert equestrians away from the park’s inner trail system used for educational programming. Park staff are working on developing limited equestrian facilities at this trailhead parking lot off American Avenue. Biking

From the Kannally Ranch House, access the Wildlife Corridor Trail via the Nature Trail, and head out to the Arizona Trail. Return on the Mariposa Trail from the American Avenue parking lot. Bicyclists can also use designated multi-use paths including the Cherry Valley Wash, Kannally Wash, Firebreak Road and Cottonwood Wash. Wildlife Viewing

The diversity of vegetation, slope and elevation provide habitat for a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and more. The most commonly sighted mammals include the white-tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, javelina, gray fox, skunks (hognose, hooded and white striped) and cottontail rabbit but many many other smaller mammals could be named. Mountain lions are occasionally seen in the park; more often they leave a sign of their presence such as a deer carcass. Common bird sightings include the scrub jay, gambel’s quail, cardinal, great horned owl, cooper’s hawk, northern harrier, red tailed hawk, turkey vulture, gila woodpecker, rednaped sapsucker, curve billed and crissal thrashers, say’s phoebe, scott’s and hooded oriole, canyon towhee, green tailed towhee, spotted towhee, bridled titmouse, phainopepla, pyrrhuloxia, and many others depending on the time of year, including warblers, hummingbirds, sparrows and more. Reptiles include the common western diamondback rattlesnake, bullsnake, ringneck snake, kingsnake, western fence lizard, earless lizard, Clark’s spiny lizard, ornate tree lizard and giant spotted lizards among others. 3.3. Oracle State Park Environmental/Cultural Education Events Oracle State Park frequently conducts events of an environmental and/or cultural nature. One such event in April 2014 was a local grade school visitation:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 33 of 128

Photographs by Chip Parfet, ODSC member. Used with permission. A typical schedule (from April 2014) includes events like these:

Saturday April 12: Boulder Scramble: Meet at the ranch house at 8:30am and join Naturalist volunteer, Rick Gagnon, for short hikes to explore up close some of the boulder piles along park trails. No reservation needed. Free with park admission. Also, Saturday, April 12: Wildlife Painting at Oracle State Park from 10am-Noon: Meet on the upper patio of the Kannally Ranch House and join the fun! – bring your own art materials or use what is provided to explore your creativity and make your own painting. The session is open to all ages, and facilitated by Keefer Gagnon, 8th grade National Junior Honor Society student at Mountain Vista School in Oracle. Reservation preferred. Also, Saturday April 12: Bi-national Landscape Restoration in the Sky Islands, presentation at NOON in the living room of the Kannally Ranch House. Sky Island Alliance (SIA) is a conservation organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the rich natural heritage of native species and habitats in the Sky Island region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. A cornerstone of SIA’s conservation successes lie in the on-the-ground work of the RESTORE Program, which works cooperatively with government agencies, private landowners, and a corps of capable volunteers on both sides of the US-MX international border to increase ecosystem resilience to the stresses of land management and climate change. Join Carianne Campbell, the RESTORE Program Manager, for a virtual tour of where they have been working and upcoming projects. Free with park admission. Please call for a reservation. Sunday, April 13: Southwest Landscape Drawing Workshop with Sedona artist, Joella Jean Mahoney, 11am-1pm. No drawing experience necessary. “Mahoney is a lifelong painter and has her home and studio in Sedona. Her vivid, powerful, large-scale paintings are exhibited nationally and internationally and are in many public and private collections. Mahoney’s paintings are all inspired by places she has hiked or backpacked. In 1985, the State of Arizona and the Arizona Parks Foundation invited her to produce a painting that would commemorate the dedication of Oracle State Park and establish the visual identity of the park.” A print of the Oracle State Park painting, part of her Monsoon Sky Series, is currently on display at the Kannally Ranch House. Reservation required. Free with park admission. Saturday, April 19: Guided Hike and Geology, led by Gaston Meloche and guest Geologist. Meet at 8:30am at the ranch house parking lot for a 5-6 mile hike. A reservation is required. Please call Gaston to register by 4pm the previous day, at (520) 638-5404. Free with park entrance fee. Also, Saturday, April 19: Reptile Walk with Herpetologist, Ed Moll. Begins with a presentation at 11am at the Kannally Ranch House followed by a walk to find and identify lizards and other reptiles at the park. Reservation required. Free with park admission.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 34 of 128 Also, Saturday, April 19: Wilderness Talk: Join Rod Mondt of the Sky Island Alliance, at 3pm in the living room of the ranch house for a presentation about wilderness and protected areas on this year’s 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act. Reservation suggested, free with park admission. Sunday, April 20: Guided Plant Walk, with Chuck LeFevre. Meet at the Ranch House office at 11am. Free with park admission. No reservation needed. Saturday, April 26: Ask Your Master Gardener, 11am to 1pm at the Kannally Ranch House. The Saddlebrooke Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer gardening questions. If you have a plant you want identified, or bug or pest issues, bring a picture or a sample. Otherwise, just stop by to see their display and pick up useful garden tips. Master Gardeners are dedicated volunteers who assist the Cooperative Extension Service by providing home horticulture information that is endorsed by the University of Arizona. Also, Saturday, April 26: Garden Talk: The Native Mesquites. 11:30am at the Kannally Ranch House, with presenter, Kathie Griffin, a Saddle brooke Master Gardener. The presentation will familiarize participants with these amazing desert legumes found in the park. Part 1 – The Tree of Life: Identification of the velvet and honey mesquites, growing patterns, and natural enemies. Part 2 – The Value of the Mesquite: Its importance to animals, plants, the soil, and to humans. Please call for a reservation. Free with park entrance fee.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 35 of 128 4. Oracle State Park Dark Sky Event Locations 4.1 Oracle State Park Maps The following maps of Oracle State Park show the main roads, trails, and facilities. The first map shows the main Park area; the second shows an overview of the entire Park. Three locations at Oracle State Park have been selected where events that showcase the Park’s dark sky can be held. These are: the Kannally Ranch House patio and adjacent parking lot, the Group Use Area (with adjacent parking lot), and the Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot. Telescopes can be set up in all three locations, with electrical power available at the Ranch House patio and Group Use Area. In addition, displays and presentations can be done at both the Ranch House and in the large shelters at the Group Use Area. The following Park maps have been annotated to show these locations.

Figure 4.1 Main Park Map

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 36 of 128 Figure 4.2 Arizona Trail Walk-In

The two satellite images (from the Apple Maps application) on the next page show these locations at approximately the same scale.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 37 of 128 Figure 4.3 Satellite Day Image Main Park Area

Figure 4.4 Satellite Day Image Arizona Trail parking lot

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 38 of 128 As can be seen in Figures 4.3 and 4.4, there are no structures nearby that would be sources of light pollution. 4.2 Day Sky Panorama Photographs Two of the three locations described above have excellent 360° views nearly to the horizon. The Kannally Ranch House parking lot has the best view of the sky, as seen in these panoramas (taken by Mike Weasner, ODSC):

Figure 4.5 Kannally Ranch House parking lot panorama: West (left), North (center), East (right)

Figure 4.6 Kannally Ranch House parking lot panorama: East (left), South (center), West (right)

The Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot is in a slight depression, but still provides excellent sky views:

Figure 4.7 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot panorama: West (left), North (center), East (right)

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 39 of 128 Figure 4.8 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot panorama: East (left), South (center), West (right)

The Group Use Area is in a slight depression and is surrounded by trees, but provides a good view of much of the sky and is protected from any wind that might be blowing:

Figure 4.9 Group Use Area panorama: West (left), North (center), East (right)

Figure 4.10 Group Use Area panorama: East (left), South (center), West (right)

Of the three locations, the Kannally Ranch House has been the location where past star parties have occurred and is the primary location for future star parties. The Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot is available with an after hours permit for unescorted nighttime access at any time by individuals or groups who want to set up telescopes.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 40 of 128 5. Oracle State Park Night Sky Quality 5.1 Contour Maps The US Geological Survey map (Figure 5.1) shows the location of Oracle State Park (outlined in red), approximate elevation of 4390 feet above sea level, situated north of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The mountain range (elevation 9157 feet above sea level) obscures much of the light dome from Tucson (nearest large city, lower left corner on the map) as seen from Oracle State Park.

Figure 5.1 Area Contour Map

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 41 of 128 Figure 5.2 shows the small, unincorporated, community of Oracle, population 3686, just west (left) of Oracle State Park (outlined in red).

Figure 5.2 Oracle Area Contour Map

The rural nature of Oracle and the surrounding area reduces the opportunities for nearby outdoor lighting to infringe upon Oracle State Park. Pinal County and Pima County (south of Pinal) have excellent outdoor lighting codes. Maricopa County is less pro-dark sky than either Pinal or Pima counties. Consequently, the main threats to the dark sky at Oracle State Park come from outside Pinal County. Going forward during the upcoming years, as other Arizona State Parks pursue “International Dark Sky Park” status, it is likely that state-wide education will result in improvements in dark sky quality throughout Arizona.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 42 of 128 5.2 Satellite Images Satellite images effectively show the sparseness of the general area and the distances from any major sources of light pollution. The nighttime satellite image of the state of Arizona (from http://www.blue-marble.de/nightlights/2012) clearly shows that Oracle is located far from the major source of light pollution in the state (Phoenix):

Figure 5.3 Satellite Night Image of Arizona

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A close-up image showing Tucson and Oracle reveals that the Santa Catalina Mountain Range shields Oracle State Park from the bulk of light pollution from Tucson:

Figure 5.4 Satellite Night Image Tucson to Oracle

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 44 of 128 Figure 5.5 shows a daytime satellite image (from the Mac OS X Maps application) with a somewhat similar view to the contour map seen in Figure 5.2, with the community of Oracle at the left and Oracle State Park covering most of the center and right side.

Figure 5.5 Satellite Day Image Oracle

Other than the small community of Oracle itself, the area surrounding the Park is very sparsely populated. Consequently, very little light pollution seen from Oracle State Park actually comes from the community of Oracle.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 45 of 128 5.3 Arizona Dark Sky Map A portion of the “World Atlas of the Artificial Night Sky Brightness” (by David Lorenz, 2006 data, which is the most recent available) provides an indication of the sky brightness as seen in southern Arizona (Figure 5.6; North at the top). The location of Oracle State Park shown is an approximation based on the nighttime satellite images above.

Figure 5.6 Night Sky Brightness Arizona The next section documents actual sky quality measurements at Oracle State Park.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 46 of 128 5.4 Sky Quality Measurements Sky Quality Measurements were taken at all three Park locations (described in Section 4) on different nights, at various times, and under varying sky conditions (but always clear). Measurements were made using a Unihedron Sky Quality Meter with Lens (SQM-L), serial number 6254, on loan from the National Optical Astronomy Observation in Tucson, Arizona. The meter measures the sky brightness (or darkness, in the case of Oracle State Park) in units of “magnitudes per square arc second”. Since most astronomers and the knowledgeable public think in terms of “what’s the faintest star visible?” the following chart developed by K. Fisher (http://www.unihedron.com/projects/darksky/images/MPSASvsNELM.jpg) provides a conversion to visual magnitudes.

Figure 5.7 Sky Quality Chart vs IDSP Tiers

The “International Dark Sky Park” levels of Gold, Silver, and Bronze have been added to the chart.

Table 5.1 shows the night sky quality measurements taken at the Park. No parking lot lighting was illuminated at the time of the measurements.

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Table 5.1 Oracle State Park Sky Quality Measurements During the time frame of SQM readings (28 April 2014 to 26 June 2014), the overall average SQM at Oracle State Park (all three locations combined) is 21.37, with the Kannally Ranch House location exhibiting the darkest sky at 21.46. This sky quality puts Oracle State Park in the middle of the Silver tier. It is worth noting that M33 (Triangulum Galaxy) has been seen using the naked eye from the west side of the community of Oracle by Mike Weasner, Chair of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee, from his Cassiopeia Observatory location. The observation was made in October 2013 and is another indication of the sky quality in Oracle, Arizona. 5.5 Night Sky Photographs Photographs of the night sky were taken by Mike Weasner, Chair, Oracle Dark Skies Committee, local amateur astronomer, and IDA member, using a Nikon D7000 DSLR with a Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 180° Fisheye Lens. Exposure settings were f/5, 60 seconds, ISO 1600, for the following non-tracking images. These photos provide an approximation of what the human eye would see. A typical faint star in these zenith pointed photos is SAO 82254 (near the zenith) in the constellation of Coma Berenices, Magnitude +7.0.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 48 of 128 Figure 5.8 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot: All Sky (North at top, West at right)

Figure 5.9 Group Use Area: All Sky (North at top, West at right)

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 49 of 128 Figure 5.10 Kannally Ranch House parking lot: All Sky (North at top, West at right) The following six photos were taken with the 180° fisheye lens aimed at the horizon to better capture “light domes” from distant cities. The major cities seen are Phoenix (to the Northwest) and Tucson (to the South).

Figure 5.11 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot night panorama: View to Northwest

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 50 of 128 Figure 5.12 Arizona Trail Walk-In parking lot night panorama: Southern Sky

Figure 5.13 Group Use Area night panorama: View to Northwest

Figure 5.14 Group Use Area night panorama: Southern Sky

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Figure 5.15 Kannally Ranch House parking lot night panorama: View to Northwest

Figure 5.16 Kannally Ranch House parking lot night panorama: View to South As is evident from the photos, the distant city light domes extend only a few degrees above the local horizon and have a minimal impact on the night sky at Oracle State Park.

To showcase the beauty of the night sky as seen from Oracle State Park, Figure 5.17 is a photograph of the rising Milky Way on 3 May 2014, 0038 MST. The photograph was taken using a Nikon D7000 DSLR with a Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 180° Fisheye Lens mounted on a tracking Meade LXD55 GEM tripod. The exposure setting was f/8, 5 minutes, ISO 2500.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 52 of 128 Figure 5.17 Rising Milky Way at Oracle State Park The night sky at Oracle State Park is dark enough to view and photograph the Zodiacal Light. Although May is not ideal for the evening Zodiacal Light, it can be seen faintly above the rock formation at the Park in the photograph below taken on 26 May 2014, 2105 MST (18mm lens, f/4, 30 seconds, ISO 4000).

Figure 5.18 Evening Zodiacal Light at Oracle State Park

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 53 of 128 The artistic quality of the night sky at Oracle State Park is seen in Figure 5.19 showing star trails over Kannally Ranch House, 26-27 May 2014, two-hour period (8mm fisheye):

Figure 5.19 Star Trails over Kannally Ranch House Milky Way, 27 May 2014, 0042 MST, 8mm fisheye lens, f/5, 30 seconds, ISO 6400:

Figure 5.20 Milky Way from Kannally Ranch House parking lot

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 54 of 128 6. Oracle State Park Lighting Inventory An inventory of outdoor lighting fixtures at Oracle State Park was done on 22 April 2014 by Stan Bembenek, Oracle Dark Skies Committee member, Friends of Oracle State Park member, and Park volunteer, and Mike Weasner, Chair, Oracle Dark Skies Committee, local amateur astronomer, and IDA member. All fixtures were documented, including ones of historical value and fixtures that are not in use at the Park. Many of the fixtures that were not in use had no light bulbs or had no electrical connections. Photographs were taken of all the fixtures. The table below documents the outdoor lighting at the Kannally Ranch House area and the Group Use Area. There are no light fixtures at the Arizona Trail Walk-In area. The table includes some possible retrofit notes that were considered at the time of the inventory.

Table 6.1 Oracle State Park Lighting Inventory

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Table 6.1 Oracle State Park Lighting Inventory (continued)

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Table 6.1 Oracle State Park Lighting Inventory (continued)

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As indicated in the Arizona State Parks Policy on Outdoor Lighting (Section 8), outdoor lighting is used only when necessary and is turned off when there are no nighttime activities at the Park requiring use for safety.

The outdoor restrooms at the Kannally Ranch House location are scheduled for replacement in the fall of 2014. The two “Port-a-Potties” will be replaced with a small permanent structure. Lighting for the new restroom structure will be minimal, solar powered, with a on/off switch, and will meet Dark Sky lighting standards. Parking lot lighting at the Kannally Ranch House was retrofitted in June 2014 to be “dark sky” compliant. The Group Use Area parking lot lighting will be upgraded before the first nighttime use, otherwise the lighting will remain off. The following “before” and “after” retrofit nighttime photographs of some Kannally Ranch House parking lot lamps show the change from white incandescent bulbs to red CFL bulbs. The “after” photographs were taken about 45 minutes before the end of astronomical twilight, with a Full Moon rising in the east, using the same exposure settings as the “before” photographs.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 58 of 128 Figure 6.1 Kannally Ranch House parking lot lighting “before”

Figure 6.2 Kannally Ranch House parking lot lighting “after”

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 59 of 128 Figure 6.3 Parking lot light fixture “before”

Figure 6.4 Parking lot light fixture “after”

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Many of the light fixtures at the Kannally Ranch House are considered “historic”, as documented on the Lighting Inventory, and no retrofits were planned. However, all of the outdoor fixtures at the Ranch House did have their bulbs swapped for red CFLs, which provide sufficient illumination for safety and security. This photograph shows the Ranch House (faintly visible due to a rising Full Moon) with the red illumination at the entrance (Table 6.1, Light Ref #1):

Figure 6.5 Kannally Ranch House with dark sky lighting

The following photographs of Group Use Area shelter #2 show the minimal lighting used inside the shelter. The location of the interior lights and the roof overhang reduces the footprint of the illuminated area.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 61 of 128 Figure 6.6 Group Use Area shelter illumination

Figure 6.7 Group Use Area shelter lights

These lights are generally not used and would be turned off during star parties at the Group Use Area. Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 62 of 128 7. Oracle State Park Star Parties and Other Related Events Since its opening in 2001, Oracle State Park has frequently held events that take advantage of the dark night sky as seen from the Park, as well as events to educate and entertain the public on science, environmental, and cultural topics related to the Park. Section 7.1 provides a selection of these events that have occurred over recent years. Section 7.2 discusses how future events will be planned. 7.1 Selected Past Events 2007:

2008:

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Saturday, April 27th

FINAL OPEN WEEKEND FOR ORACLE STATE PARK UNTIL OCTOBER !!! EXTENDED PARK OPEN HOURS, 8AM-10PM 7pm LIVE MUSIC & STAR GAZING begins at the Kannally Ranch House upper patio

Bring a picnic dinner, enjoy music, and explore Jupiter and its moons, Saturn’s rings, star clusters and double stars

Evening Sky Viewing by ARIZONA STAR TOURS and live music by CLASSIC ROCK BAND “ONE WITHOUT” Event is free with park admission

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 65 of 128 2014:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 66 of 128 The Oracle Fire Station displayed this on their marquee message display in the days leading up the 21st:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 67 of 128 This night event was well attended. Past typical evening/night events at Oracle State Park would draw about 50-60 visitors. This event had about 350 visitors, an incredible turnout, with some visitors coming from as far away as east of Tucson and from Phoenix. Members of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, the Oracle Dark Skies Committee, and local residents set up several telescopes for viewing. The following photographs show the support at this event. IDA, ODSC, and Friends of Oracle State Park tables:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 68 of 128 Some of the telescopes:

A panorama photograph showing the size of the crowd at Oracle State Park for the “Live Music and Star Party”:

Photographs by Mike Weasner & MaryHelen Vasquez, members of the ODSC. Used with permission.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 69 of 128 7.2 Future Events As with past events at Oracle State Park, nighttime events (star parties, meteor shower watching, moon observing, etc.) and daytime science events (astronomy), environmental, and cultural events will be scheduled and conducted in accordance with Park procedures. Nighttime events may be combined with live music events and/or “bug nights”, “night wildlife”, or other appropriate night education events. The Oracle Dark Skies Committee will do public outreach on controlling and eliminating light pollution at these events. Groups or individuals who want to utilize the Park’s dark sky for astronomy purposes at a protected location can also reserve nighttime use of the Park. As with any event at the Park, there are fees associated with the use of the Park for stargazing. These fees are $7/day/vehicle for day use and night use until 10 PM, and $12/night/vehicle for 10 PM to sunrise. Frequent Park visitors are encouraged to purchase an annual pass ($75/year) or become an Arizona State Parks Volunteer and receive free access to the Park.

Publicity about upcoming events at the Park is via: Arizona State Parks web site (http://azstateparks.com) Oracle State Park web site (http://azstateparks.com/Parks/ORAC/) Oracle Dark Skies Committee web site (http://www.weasner.com/ODSC) Oracle Fire Station outdoor marquee message display Oracletown web site (http://oracletown.com) Cassiopeia Observatory web site (http://www.weasner.com/co) news releases local media local email lists word-of-mouth locally distributed flyers

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 70 of 128 8. Oracle State Park Outdoor Lighting Policy 8.1 Oracle State Park Lighting Master Plan 2000 The following page from the Oracle State Park Master Plan (2000) describes the past and current design guidelines for site lighting:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 71 of 128 8.2 Oracle State Park Policy This letter from Steve Haas, Park Manager, Catalina and Oracle State Park, documents the current standard operating procedures for lighting at Oracle State Park:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 72 of 128 9. Pinal County Code 2.195 Outdoor Lighting The Pinal County Outdoor Lighting Code 2.195 was updated in 2010 to provide detailed requirements for new and existing residential and business outdoor lighting. While existing installations are grandfathered under the previous Code, all new installations or upgrades must comply with the new Code. The Oracle Dark Skies Committee is doing public outreach to make residents and businesses aware of the revised Code and encouraging owners to be compliant even if grandfathered under the old Code.

The Pinal County Code 2.195 Outdoor Lighting is included here in its entirety.

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Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 90 of 128 10. Light Pollution Control/Restoration Community Projects 10.1 Public Outreach and Education The Oracle Dark Skies Committee began doing public outreach in coordination with Oracle State Park within three weeks of being formed in April 2014. A “Music in the Park” event was held on Sunday, 27 April 2014:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 91 of 128 This is Mike Weasner, Chair of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee, at the “Music in the Park” event:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 92 of 128 Oracle State Park and the Oracle Dark Skies Committee were represented at the “San Pedro Riverfest”, held in Winkelman, Arizona, on Saturday, 3 May 2014:

Riverfest was well attended by Pinal County residents, business owners, and elected officials. Oracle State Park Ranger Dale Redies (right) and Committee Chair Mike Weasner (left) discussed what the Park has to offer and how everyone benefits from preserving our dark sky resource:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 93 of 128 Oracle Public Library and the Pinal County Library District sponsored an “Astronomy for Everyone: Size and Scale of the Universe” presentation on 27 May 2014. The Oracle Dark Skies Committee was on hand at the Oracle Public Library to answer any questions about light pollution and to discuss its work with Oracle State Park. This is the Committee’s display at this event:

The event was the first use of the new Oracle Dark Skies Committee banner. The Oracle Dark Skies Committee has been invited to give a presentation on its work to residents of the nearby Saddlebrooke Ranch community in August 2014. Also in August 2014, Mike Weasner, Chair of the Committee, will be attending the “Blinded by the Light” summit in Flagstaff, AZ. The attendance is sponsored by Arizona State Parks and further demonstrates the support of the State of Arizona to the long-term goals of the IDA.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 94 of 128 The Oracle Dark Skies Committee web site (http://www.weasner.com/ODSC) went live in June 2014. An article asking for the community’s help to Oracle State Park “Go for the Gold” is available on the Committee web site, along with other information.

Figure 10.1 Oracle Dark Skies Committee web site

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 95 of 128 The Oracle Fire Station also asks for the community’s help:

The Committee is in the initial planning stages for an “Oracle Community Lighting” meeting to be held in late 2014 or early 2015. The Committee hopes to have participants from the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department, the Pinal County Planning and Development Department, the Pinal County Board of Supervisors, the local electric utility (SCIP, part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs) local hardware stores (with discounts for Dark Sky Compliant fixtures), and IDA.

The Committee has been contacting local businesses and residents whose outdoor lighting presents a source of light pollution in Oracle. These projects are reported in the next sections. While these projects have just begun and final resolutions are still in progress in some cases, they are included here to demonstrate the commitment of the Oracle Dark Skies to improving sky quality in southern Arizona. They also demonstrate the community awareness and strong support for the Oracle Dark Skies Committee that has developed after only a few months of existence.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 96 of 128 10.2 Ford Dealership Members of the Oracle Dark Skies Committee met with the manager of the local “Oracle Ford” car dealership that is west of the community of Oracle. Its parking lot lighting is Dark Sky Compliant but security lighting on two sides of its main building shine horizontally and are brightly visible. Two lights are seen on this nighttime photo taken from about a mile away (a third is masked by the Jones Outdoor Advertising billboard, discussed in Section 10.6):

The current fixtures are all like this:

The manager was very supportive of the work of the Committee and agreed to replace the lights with Dark Sky compliant fixtures. Upon further reflection he decided to turn off the six lights and leave them off, as the other existing (compliant) lighting is sufficient. The following two photos show the “before” lighting:

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The next three photos show the “after” look:

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Several local residents immediately mentioned to the Committee that they noticed the improvement.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 99 of 128 10.3 Circle K Convenience Store The manager of the two Circle K Convenience Stores in Oracle was contacted by the Committee regarding lighting at one of the locations. The lighting of concern illuminates the pump area and, while compliant with the Pinal County Outdoor Lighting Code (Section 9) under the “grandfathered” clause, it is not compliant to the revised code and not Dark Sky compliant as there are unshielded lights that extend below the ceiling, as seen in this photo:

The manager was agreeable with replacing the lighting or properly shielding the fixtures, but said he would “have to check with Corporate”. The manager was contacted three weeks after the initial meeting and he reported that a work order had been placed to redo the lighting to be compliant. Due to a lengthy Corporate bidding process, the work may not be completed until late in 2014.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 100 of 128 10.4 Southern Arizona Equestrian Center The Southern Arizona Equestrian Center, west of Oracle, has several unshielded bright tall pole mounted lights that are illuminated during the hours when the Center is in use at night.

This photo, taken from about a mile away, shows the overwhelming nature of the lights as they illuminate the surrounding area well outside of the Center property:

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Contact was made with an owner of the Center. He agreed to look into the lighting to determine if there was anything he could do to prevent the spillage. He mentioned that the lighting was only on a few times a week and then usually for only a couple of hours. The Committee plans to do further follow-up with the Center.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 102 of 128 10.5 Former Liberty Park The land formerly known as “Liberty Park” in Oracle is unused, yet has lighting which its neighbors consider a nuisance. This photo shows the lighting that is illuminated all night long:

A local Oracle historian and Committee member prepared a history of the Park for inclusion in this Nomination Package (next page).

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The Oracle Dark Skies Committee is working with the Pinal County Department of Planning and Development to determine the Park’s status and resolve the lighting issue.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 105 of 128 10.6 Jones Outdoor Advertising Billboard A billboard on Arizona Highway 77, just west of Oracle, has two extremely bright lights that illuminate signs on both sides of the billboard.

The lights are inadequately shielded, as seen here:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 106 of 128 Consequently, the illumination from both lights is not limited to just the dimensions of the billboard, but shines well outside the boundaries of the sign:

As such, these lights are not only wasteful of electricity and a source of light pollution, they are also a driving hazard due to the blinding bright light that shines into drivers’ eyes when approaching the billboard from either direction on Highway 77. The Committee contacted the Tucson office of Jones Outdoor Advertising several times to discuss the lights. A company email address was provided and the Committee Chair sent an email to [email protected] (the owner) with background on the Committee, its work with Oracle State Park, a description of the problem lighting, and a photo (seen above). A request was made to discuss what resolutions might be possible to reduce or eliminate the spillage. Eventually the owner responded but declined to support the Park and community or address the light spillage concern. The Committee is continuing to pursue a resolution. It should be noted that the lights are currently turned off about midnight each night.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 107 of 128 10.7 Triangle L Ranch The owner of Triangle L Ranch in Oracle initiated contact with the Oracle Dark Skies Committee to discuss nighttime lighting for several events planned for the fall of 2014. The Triangle L Ranch web site (http://www.trianglelranch.com) describes the Ranch as: “The Triangle L Guest Ranch is a magical property nestled among giant oaks and boulders in the high desert foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Set on fifty secluded acres, with lovely whitewashed adobe buildings dating from the 1880s, Triangle L Ranch offers comfortable accommodations, privacy, easygoing hospitality, and the charm of a rustic, historic ranch setting enhanced by a commitment to the arts. Our abundant birds and wildlife, our cloudless, temperate days and star-filled night skies, make the Triangle L a carefree environment to relax, slow down, watch birds, hike, or simply enjoy a peaceful, technology-free retreat for individuals, couples, families, and friends.” The owner requested that the Committee survey existing lighting at Triangle L Ranch and make recommendations to ensure Dark Sky compliance. The survey was done in July 2014. Most of the outdoor lighting at the Ranch is low wattage solar powered “decorative” or “art” displays. No problem lights were found. The Committee will do public outreach at four GLOW night events in September and October 2014 at Triangle L Ranch. 10.8 Triangle Y Ranch The owner of Triangle Y Ranch in Oracle also initiated contact with the Oracle Dark Skies Committee to request support for their three telescopes that are used for night programs. The Triangle Y Ranch (http://www.tucsonymca.org/triangle/) is a local summer camp and retreat center used by the YMCA of Southern Arizona. Mike Weasner, Chair of the Committee and local amateur astronomer, will visit the Ranch during the summer of 2014 to check out the telescopes and design an appropriate usage programs for the Ranch. Public outreach on light pollution will be included in these programs.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 108 of 128 10.9 Local Residents A local resident was contacted about two unshielded, horizontally aimed, bright floodlights, as seen in this “before” photo:

The homeowner agreed to replace the fixtures, seen here:

Information on replacements was provided to the resident and the work should be done in the summer 2014.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 109 of 128 The Committee approached another homeowner regarding driveway lighting that illuminates the roadway and another homeowner’s property:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 110 of 128 The homeowner agreed to discuss what could be done to mitigate the concern of the unshielded lighting fixtures:

Resolution is expected summer 2014. Another homeowner that the Committee met with was able to immediately rectify his problem light during the meeting. A light on his recently constructed garage extended below the fixture shield, as seen in these “before” photos:

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 111 of 128 The exposed bulb, which was on all night, created a lot of glare:

The homeowner removed the two extension pieces and now the bulb no longer extends below the fixture:

In addition, the homeowner stated he would only turn the light on when needed, rather than having it on all night. This is an “after” photograph:

The Oracle Dark Skies Committee will continue to do public outreach, and more residential and business projects will be undertaken and documented. These efforts will continue after this Nomination Package is submitted and after the IDA “International Dark Sky Park” designation for Oracle State Park is received.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 112 of 128 11. IDA International Dark Sky Park Program 11.1 Program Criteria Compliance Checklist The IDA Dark Sky Park Program Criteria (May 2013 version; http://www.darksky.org/idsp/Guidelines/IDSP%20Guildelines%20Final-May13- BP.pdf) was used in the preparation of this Nomination Package. The following checklist shows the Oracle State Park compliance status with reference to the appropriate sections of this Nomination Package.

IDSP Program Criteria Compliance Section Status Discussed ELIGIBILITY (ALL MUST BE MET) A) All protected public lands, whether managed by national, state, provincial, or local agencies, are √ 3 eligible. B) The park must provide the opportunity for public nighttime access, with or without supervision. Regular 3.2 visitation by the public is essential to meet the goals of √ 4.2 the IDSP program. A portion of designated land may 7 meet this requirement, or access must be available for a portion the night. C) The park must provide an exceptional dark sky resource, relative to the communities and cities that √ 5 surround it. Core night sky quality must fit in one of the three tier qualifications Gold, Silver, or Bronze. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS [see Program Criteria for sub-requirements] A) A quality comprehensive Lightscape Management Plan (LMP) √ 8 B) The park’s commitment to dark skies and lightscape management) √ 8 C) The park’s commitment to public education √ 3 Table 11.1 IDSP Program Criteria compliance

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 113 of 128 11.2 Program Criteria Tier Compliance The following table shows the three “International Dark Sky Park” designation tiers (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) and what tier Oracle State Park meets for each indicator.

Table 11.2 IDSP Program Tier Designation

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 114 of 128 12. Miscellaneous Materials 12.1 History of Oracle’s Steward Family Support to Astronomy Oracle has a long history of support to astronomy, as documented here.

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Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 118 of 128 12.2 Media Coverage Media coverage of the work to have Oracle State Park designated as an IDSP has been extensive. This section has some selected articles. The San Manuel Miner newspaper published this article on 15 April 2014 covering the initial Oracle Dark Skies Committee meeting:

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Article by John Hernandez, Copper Area News Publishers, www.copperarea.com. Used with Permission.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 120 of 128 Arizona State Parks published this Press Release on 29 May 2014:

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Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 122 of 128 Arizona Daily Star published this story about Oracle State Park on 30 May 2014:

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Used with Permission.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 124 of 128 Arizona Public Media published this story about Oracle State Park on 3 June 2014:

© 2007, 2012, 2014 Arizona Public Media® Used with Permission.

An audio file of the radio broadcast is available at: http://media.azpm.org/master/audio/2014/6/2/mp3/oracle.mp3

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 125 of 128 Zócalo, the Tucson Arts and Culture Magazine, available free in Tucson, published this item about Oracle State Park in its July/August 2014 issue:

Copyright 2014 by Media Zocalo, LLC. Story by Phoenix Mungo. Used with permission from the publisher.

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 126 of 128 13. Oracle Dark Skies Committee

Mike Weasner, Chair: Oracle resident, IDA member, amateur astronomer Evaline Auerbach, Recorder: Oracle resident, local historian, former Central Arizona College professor Laurie Bryant: Oracle resident Stan Bembenek: Oracle resident, member Friends of Oracle State Park, Park volunteer

Dan Blanko: Oracle resident, staff member MMTO Casey Egan: Oracle resident, retired elementary school teacher Peter Else: Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance

Bill John: Oro Valley resident, member Friends of Oracle State Park Jean John: Oro Valley resident, member Friends of Oracle State Park Anna Lands: Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance Wendy Ostrander: Oracle resident

Chip Parfet: Oracle resident, Vice-President Friends of Oracle State Park Charlotte Poole: Oracle resident Dale Redies: Oracle State Park Ranger

Jennifer Rinio: Oracle resident, Oracle State Park Ranger MaryHelen Vasquez: Oracle resident, owner Hair Country Beauty Salon Waldo Vasquez: Oracle resident

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 127 of 128 14. Document Revisions

0.1 4 May 2014 Initial Committee review draft 0.2 13 May 2014 Initial draft comments incorporated

0.3 27 May 2014 Additional material, combined two sections 0.4 1 June 2014 Additional material, some edits 0.5 13 June 2014 Updated Committee names, added material 0.6 14 June 2014 Final internal review revision

0.7 17 June 2014 Comments incorporated, Letter of Nomination added 0.8 18 June 2014 Released to “Letter of Support” writers 0.9 11 July 2014 Internal review version of final Nomination Package

1.0 18 July 2014 Final version

Proposal to the International Dark-Sky Association Revision 1.0 18 July 2014 Page 128 of 128